Adverse events of special interest after vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines: a cohort event monitoring study in Iran.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the cumulative incidence of adverse events of special interest (AESI) among Iranians who were vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines, including Sinopharm, Sputnik V, AZD1222, and COVIran Barekat.

Methods: Using World Health Organization guidelines, this cohort event monitoring (CEM) study was conducted to assess the adverse events of COVID-19 vaccines, in seven cities in Iran. A total of 89783 participants (31690 Sinopharm, 20195 Sputnik V, 23780 AZD1222, and 14118 CoVIran Barekat) who were 18 or older were followed up for 17 weeks (25 weeks for AZD1222) after receiving the first dose of vaccine by weekly phone contacts or self-reporting in a web application.

Hormonal and histological impacts of valproate in PTZ-kindled male rats: a focus on 5HT1A receptors.

Introduction: The occurrence of seizures and the use of valproate (VPA) both have sexual and hormonal side effects and ultimately cause infertility in males and females. Also, since VPA increases serotonin levels, it plays a role in the development of hormonal disorders in both sexes. Our aim was to investigate the role of 5-HT1A receptors in the impact of VPA on hormonal and cellular changes in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindled rats.

Clinical Evaluation of Umifenovir as a Potential Antiviral Therapy for COVID-19: A Multi-center, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of umifenovir as a potential antiviral therapy for COVID-19; specifically, to determine whether umifenovir improves clinical outcomes, reduces hospitalization duration, and enhances recovery rates in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 compared to standard care.

Methods: In this multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial, 260 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were randomly assigned to receive either umifenovir (200 mg every six hours for seven days) or standard care. The primary outcome was clinical improvement, assessed via the National Early Warning Score 2 system, while secondary outcomes included changes in computed tomography scan scores, length of hospital stay, intensive care unit admission rates, and mortality.

Cognitive Effect of Levetiracetam in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review.

Background: Various therapeutic interventions have been investigated for cognitive impairment, a common problem in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Levetiracetam (LEV), an antiepileptic drug, has been shown to alleviate cognitive impairment.

Objective: The present systematic review aimed to evaluate the cognitive effects of LEV in patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Evaluating miscarriage incidence after COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 infection during pregnancy might be associated with maternal complications. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the risk of miscarriage. This cohort study included 26,701 women of reproductive age (15-49) who were vaccinated with different vaccines (Sinopharm, Sputnik V, AZD1222 and CoVIran Barekat) between April 2021 and August 2022 in seven cities in Iran.

Exosomes beyond stem cells during traumatic brain injury: hype or hope?

Background: Based on the available data, stem cell therapy is a hopeful cure option for neurotrauma, especially traumatic brain injury. Stem cells can improve neurological outcomes and promote neuroregeneration after an injury through mechanisms such as bystander effects, cell replacement, and the activation of endogenous pathways. However, several uncertainties and limitations exist in achieving appropriate results and applying stem cell therapy at the clinical level.

Nano-scaffold containing functional motif of stromal cell-derived factor 1 enhances neural stem cell behavior and synaptogenesis in traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, presenting a significant challenge due to the lack of effective therapies. Neural stem cells (NSCs) have shown promising potential in preclinical studies as a therapy for TBI. However, their application is limited by challenges related to poor survival and integration within the injured brain.

Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of Repeated Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) by Investigating Patient's Specific microRNAs as Novel Biomarkers: A Clinical Trial Study.

Background: Since there is currently no cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), it is essential to search for diagnostic biomarkers and novel treatments to reduce the severity of this disease. One of these treatment approaches is stem cell transplantation.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of repeated transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in patients with ALS by analyzing clinical and molecular data.

The Role of Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Glial Cells in the Central Nervous System under both Normal and Pathological Conditions.

In recent decades, researchers and clinicians have increasingly focused on glial cell function. One of the primary mechanisms influencing these functions is through extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane-bound particles released by cells that are essential for intercellular communication. EVs can be broadly categorized into four main types based on their size, origin, and biogenesis: large EVs, small EVs (sEVs), autophagic EVs, and apoptotic bodies.

Nose-to-Brain Targeting of Resveratrol Nanoformulations.

Resveratrol [RES] is a polyphenolic stilbene with therapeutic potential owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective properties. However, the very poor oral bioavailability, fast metabolism, and extremely low stability under physiological conditions pose a severe detriment to the clinical use of RES. This newly developed field of nanotechnology has led to the formulation of RES into nanoformulations with the goal of overcoming metabolicpharmacokinetic limitations and enhancing the targeted transport of RES to the central nervous system [CNS].

Exosome: an overview on enhanced biogenesis by small molecules.

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that received attention for their potential use in the treatment of various injuries. They communicate intercellularly by transferring genetic and bioactive molecules from parent cells. Although exosomes hold immense promise for treating neurodegenerative and oncological diseases, their actual clinical use is very limited because of their biogenesis and secretion.

NMDA receptors antagonists alleviated the acute phase of traumatic brain injury.

Objectives: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and disability worldwide. TBI has been associated with factors such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis, which are believed to be mediated by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor. Two NMDA receptor antagonists, ketamine and memantine, have shown potential in mitigating the pathophysiological effects of TBI.

Efficacy of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes in conjunction with standard IBD drug on immune responses in an IBD mouse model.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a persistent inflammation of the digestive system, and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and their exosomes have demonstrated potential as treatments for this condition. The objective of this research was to examine the possible effectiveness of intraperitoneal injection of umbilical cord-MSCs (UC-MSCs) and their exosomes through a two-time injection regimen in a mouse model.

Method: In this study, an animal model of a specific type of IBD in C57BL/6 mice, induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), was utilized.

The effects of self-assembling peptide on glial cell activation.

Glial cells play a critical role in the healthy and diseased phases of the central nervous system (CNS). CNS diseases involve a wide range of pathological conditions characterized by poor recovery of neuronal function. Glial cell-related target therapies are progressively gaining interest in inhibiting secondary injury-related death.

Correlation of ammonia and blood laboratory parameters with hepatic encephalopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: Emerging research suggests that hyperammonemia may enhance the probability of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a condition associated with elevated levels of circulating ammonia in patients with cirrhosis. However, some studies indicate that blood ammonia levels may not consistently correlate with the severity of HE, highlighting the complex pathophysiology of this condition.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis through PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library were conducted to address this complexity, analyzing and comparing published data on various laboratory parameters, including circulating ammonia, blood creatinine, albumin, sodium, and inflammation markers in cirrhotic patients, both with and without HE.

The interaction between cannabinoids and long-term synaptic plasticity: A survey on memory formation and underlying mechanisms.

Synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), is an essential phenomenon in memory formation as well as maintenance along with many other cognitive functions, such as those needed for coping with external stimuli. Synaptic plasticity consists of gradual changes in the biochemistry and morphology of pre- and postsynaptic neurons, particularly in the hippocampus. Consuming marijuana as a primary source of exocannabinoids immediately impairs attention and working memory-related tasks.

Targeting NLRP3 Inflammasomes: A Trojan Horse Strategy for Intervention in Neurological Disorders.

Recently, a growing focus has been on identifying critical mechanisms in neurological diseases that trigger a cascade of events, making it easier to target them effectively. One such mechanism is the inflammasome, an essential component of the immune response system that plays a crucial role in disease progression. The NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome is a subcellular multiprotein complex that is widely expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and can be activated by a variety of external and internal stimuli.

MicroRNA (miRNA) as a biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics molecules in neurodegenerative disease.

Neurodegenerative diseases that include Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and multiple sclerosis (MS) that arise due to numerous causes like protein accumulation and autoimmunity characterized by neurologic depletion which lead to incapacity in normal physiological function such as thinking and movement in these patients. Glial cells perform an important role in protective neuronal function; in the case of neuroinflammation, glial cell dysfunction can promote the development of neurodegenerative diseases. miRNA that participates in gene regulation and plays a vital role in many biological processes in the body; in the central nervous system (CNS), it can play an essential part in neural maturation and differentiation.

Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Repeated Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantations in ALS Patients by Investigating Patients' Specific Immunological and Biochemical Biomarkers.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable disease. There are vigorous attempts to develop treatments to reduce the effects of this disease, and among these treatments is the transplantation of stem cells. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy cohort as a promising novel treatment modality by estimating some additional new parameters, such as immunological and biochemical factors.

Health Crisis in Gaza: The Urgent Need for International Action.

The current and ongoing conflict imposed in Gaza has led to severe environmental challenges in Gaza, resulting in a health crisis that demands immediate attention and intervention. A comprehensive study has evaluated the pressing mental health, water and sanitation, access to healthcare, and infectious disease challenges plaguing the region. Mental health issues, particularly among children and adolescents, have surged in the wake of the conflict, with trauma-related symptoms expected to persist.

Human Endometrial Regenerative Cells for Neurological Disorders: Hype or Hope?

Despite enormous efforts, no effective medication has been found to significantly halt or even slow the progression of neurological diseases, such as acquired (e.g., traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, etc.

Effect of a combined program of running exercise and environmental enrichment on memory function and neurogenesis markers in amyloid-beta-induced Alzheimer-like model.

Objectives: It is urgent to develop non-pharmacological interventions or multifactor combination approaches to combat Alzheimer's disease (AD). The effect of exercise (EX) combined with environmental enrichment (EE) on behavioral phenotypes and neurogenesis markers in an Alzheimer-like rat model was investigated.

Materials And Methods: The groups consisted of AD, sham-operated, AD+EX, AD+EE, and AD+EX+EE.

Oxidative Stress is a New Avenue for Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Hype of Hope?

The biochemical integrity of the brain is critical in maintaining normal central nervous system (CNS) functions. One of the factors that plays an important role in causing biochemical impairment of the brain is known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is generally defined as the excessive formation of free radicals relative to antioxidant defenses.